This work describes the founding and brief existence of Colegio Cesar Chavez, founded in the Pacific Northwest in 1973. This history of the college tells the story of a Chicano struggle for educational and self determination.

Dedication; Preface; List of Figures; 1. Introduction; Description of Study; Notes; 2. Social and Historical Context; The Chicano Movement; Watershed Period for Higher Education; Innovation; The Quest for Equal Opportunity; Notes; 3. How It All Began; Background; Notes; 4. A Collective Dream Realized The Birth of Colegio Cesar Chavez; Founders; Institutional Mission and Philosophy; Curriculum; Administration; Faculty; Students and Community; Summary; Notes; 5. Fading Dreams and Hope: Colegio's Decline and Demise; A Lack of Financial Base; Colegio's Legal Battles; Internal Politics and Conflict; Enrollment; Leadership; A Non-traditional Institution; National Trends; Summary; Notes; 6. Conclusions and Insights for Chicano College Promoters; Conclusion: Was Colegio Doomed to Fail?; Insights to Future Promoters; Concluding Remarks; Notes; Appendices; A. Research Tools and Methodology; Interview Consent Form; Bibliography; Index.